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WNBA predictions 2026: Sporting News experts make picks for Caitlin Clark, WNBA Finals and more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After months of deliberations, weeks of anticipation and two preseason games, the 2026 WNBA regular season is mercifully here.
It figures to be a memorable campaign. There are a host of gifted standouts in new jerseys, with Angel Reese, Satou Sabally and Nneka Ogwumike all headed to new homes in 2026. There are new teams, too; the Fire and Tempo are set to join the party, hoping to drum up interest in their respective enclaves a la the Valkyries.
The rookie class is fascinating. The veterans are enchanting. And the paychecks are a whole lot bigger. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one for the record books. And we haven't even gotten started yet.
With that, here are our expert picks on end-of-season awards, the Commissioner's Cup champion, the top contenders in this year's playoff hunt and, as always, a prediction for the 2026 WNBA Finals.
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WNBA predictions 2026
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David Suggs
MVP: A'ja Wilson, Aces
Rookie of the Year: Flau'jae Johnson, Storm
Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams, Valkyries
Coach of the Year: Karl Smesko, Dream
Commissioner's Cup champion: Indiana Fever
Top four teams: Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty, Indiana Fever, Las Vegas Aces
Finals prediction: Las Vegas Aces over Atlanta Dream
Angel Reese should slot nicely into Karl Smesko's lineup in 2026. I'm interested to see if she can take a Naz Hillmon-like leap as a shooter. If she can improve upon her career 18.4% three-point percentage, the Dream could emerge as the W's most well-rounded outfit.
Beyond that, I think the Aces' decision to sign Chennedy Carter could prove to be the smartest deal of the offseason. She has her detractors. But few players are quite as accomplished an isolation scorer as she is. Carter — and A'ja Wilson — will be the difference as Las Vegas downs Atlanta in seven to pick up its fourth title in five years.
MORE: Ranking the 30 best WNBA players in 2026, from A'ja Wilson to Caitlin Clark
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Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Carlan Gay
MVP: Allisha Gray, Dream
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Miles, Lynx
Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams, Valkyries
Coach of the Year: Karl Smesko, Dream
Commissioner's Cup champion: New York Liberty
Top four teams: New York Liberty, Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever
Finals prediction: Dream vs. Fever
I’m banking on the Dream finally getting over the first-round hump and into the Finals. I’m also banking on better health for a Fever team that almost made the Finals without key cogs last year. An Atlanta-Indiana best-of-seven Finals matchup would be a Fever Dream.
Also, I can’t wait to see Gabby Williams lock up defensively on one of the better defensive teams in the league, fresh off winning her third (!) Defensive Player of the Year in the EuroLeague.
MORE: Which WNBA teams have the highest valuations?
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Steph Noh
MVP: Breanna Stewart
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Miles
Defensive Player of the Year: A'ja Wilson
Coach of the Year: Sandy Brondello
Commissioner's Cup champion: Liberty
Top four teams: Liberty, Aces, Dream, Fever
Finals prediction: Liberty vs. Aces
Thoughts: How good can the Tempo be in their first year? Sandy Brondello has never missed the playoffs in 13 seasons as a WNBA head coach. The Tempo has two good players in Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey, who might get them to a more respectable level than most expansion teams. Toronto is a great basketball city, and they'll probably have a great home court advantage at the very least.
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Daniel Yanofsky
MVP: A'ja Wilson
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Betts
Defensive Player of the Year: A'ja Wilson
Coach of the Year: Sydney Johnson (Mystics)
Commissioner's Cup Champion: New York Liberty
Top four teams: Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream
Final prediction: Las Vegas Aces repeat as champions
Thoughts: Last season, I predicted the New York Liberty would repeat as champions. This year, I'll continue that trend by predicting the Las Vegas Aces will win it all. The Aces have the league's best player, A'ja Wilson, and top-tier role players. They have enough talent to cement their status as a true dynasty.
Chicago may not go far in the playoffs, but it will be fascinating to see how everyone gels post-Angel Reese. Also, will Skylar Diggins confront Sky management before the season ends?
The Wings fascinate me. Caitlin Clark may be considered the star, but Paige Bueckers will be the player to watch. Penciling Wilson as MVP once again, but year two for Bueckers could be one to remember.
Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and a healthy Georgia Amoore? I believe the Mystics will be a problem.
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